Beyond Human: How Cutting-Edge Science Is Extending Our Lives.

https://bengreenfieldfitness.com/beyondhuman

Never before in the history of medicine has mankind faced such hope and peril as those of us poised to embrace the radical medical technologies of today.

Eve Herold's new book Beyond Human: How Cutting-Edge Science Is Extending Our Lives examines the medical technologies taking shape at the nexus of computing, microelectronics, engineering, nanotechnology, cellular and gene therapies, and robotics. These technologies will dramatically transform our lives and allow us to live for hundreds of years. Yet, with these blessings come complicated practical and ethical issues, some of which we can predict, but many we cannot.

Beyond Human taps the minds of doctors, scientists, and engineers engaged in developing a host of new technologies while telling the stories of some of the patients courageously testing the radical new treatments about to come into the market. Beyond Human asks the difficult questions of the scientists and bioethicists who seek to ensure that as our bodies and brains become ever more artificial, we hold onto our humanity. In this new world, will everyone have access to technological miracles, or will we end up living in a world of radical disparities? How will society accommodate life spans that extend into hundreds of years? Will we and our descendants be able to bring about the dream of a future liberated by technology, or will we end up merely serving the machines and devices that keep us healthy, smart, young, and alive? Eve Herold is a science writer specializing in issues at the intersection of science and society. She has written and spoken extensively about stem cell research and regenerative medicine and the social and bioethical aspects of leading-edge medicine. She is the past director of the Office of Communications and Public Affairs at the American Psychiatric Association and has served as Director of Public Policy Research and Education for the Genetics Policy Institute. Other positions include Public Education Manager for the Stem Cell Research Foundation, a nonprofit organization promoting biomedical research and education. She is the former managing editor of The Gerontologist, a scholarly journal that explores the many facets of aging and its impact on society. Her 2007 book, Stem Cell Wars, was awarded a Commendation in Popular Medicine by the British Medical Association. Her 2016 book, Beyond Human, has been nominated for the Kirkus Prize in Nonfiction. A new book, Robots and the Women Who Love Them, will be released in 2018.

During my discussion with Eve in today's show, you'll discover:

-Whether Eve Herold is one of those folks who are striving to live to be 160 or 180 or 200...[6:12]

-How a brain pacemaker works and if you should get one installed someday...[6:50]

-How to inject your brain with stem cells...[14:10]

-Why Ben has banked both his fat marrow stem cells and bone marrow stem cells...[19:25]

-What Eve's typical day looks like in terms of anti-aging "techniques" she currently uses...[21:45]

-The fascinating current state of organ implantation or organ technology to replace failing organs...[25:10]

-The crazy military and DARPA research that is allowing soldiers to function at a high level for more than 168 hours without sleep...[33:25]

-How a brain-to-machine interface allows for computers to be controlled with sheer mental power...[40:00]

-How nanobots can be used to repair internal proteins and to extend lifespan...[42:30]

-What Eve thinks about so-called anti-aging pills like NAD+, resveratrol, metformin, etc...[49:05]

-Whether you live longer if you are slightly fat...[58:00]

-And much more!

Resources from this episode: Beyond Human: How Cutting-Edge Science Is Extending Our Lives Stem Cell Wars: Inside Stories from the Frontlines -My interview with Aubrey De Grey -My podcast on NAD+ -Six crazy cocktails (including my Pau D' Arco bark tea recipe) -Kion Lean -Circadia - use code GREENFIELD for $100 discount -Halo tDCS -Vielight photobiomodulation -US Stem Cell Clinic for fat marrow stem cells -Foreverlabs for bone marrow stem cells - use code GREENFIELD for $250 discount -Teloyears for measuring your telomere length

Show Sponsors: 

-Birdwell Beach Britches - To get 10% off your first Birdwell purchase, with Lifetime Guarantee and free shipping over $99, go to - Birdwell.com and use discount code BEN at checkout.

-ZipRecruiter - Post jobs on ZipRecruiter for FREE by visiting ZipRecruiter.com/GREEN.

-Four Sigmatic - Try Four Sigmatic's new adaptogen coffee at FourSigmatic.com/BenGreenfield for 15% off your order.

-HealthIQ  - The "Ben Greenfield Fitness" podcast is sponsored by Health IQ, an insurance company that helps health conscious people like runners, cyclist, weightlifters and vegetarians get lower rates on their life insurance.  Go to healthiq.com/BEN to support the show and see if you qualify.

Do you have questions, thoughts or feedback for Eve or me? Leave your comments at BenGreenfieldFitness.com and one of us will reply!

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.